scholarly journals Health Extension Workers Involvement in the Utilization of Focused Antenatal Care Service in Rural Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 233339281983513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Achamyelesh Gebretsadik ◽  
Million Teshome ◽  
Mekdes Mekonnen ◽  
Akalewold Alemayehu ◽  
Yusuf Haji

Background: Health extension workers (HEWs) are primarily been assigned in rural areas of Ethiopia to provide maternal and child health services. Few studies have been done to investigate HEWs’ contributions towards maternal health services. This study describes HEWs involvement in the utilization of focused antenatal care (FANC). Methods: A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between January 21 and February 4, 2017. Mothers (2300) who gave birth in the last 6 months (0-6 months) in randomly selected 30 kebeles in the rural Sidama zone, participated in the study. A face-to-face interview was done using a structured questionnaire adapted from the Saving Newborn Lives Program. The main outcome variable was FANC utilization. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used using SPSS statistical software. Results: The FANC was used by 525 (24.36%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 22.5%-26.2%) women. Health extension workers accounted for 244 (46.47%; 95% CI: 43.5-47.7%) of mothers. The FANC utilization was less likely among those who were illiterate (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: .32; 95% CI: .18-.57) and those who attended first cycle (AOR: .41; 95% CI: .23-.74), those who attended secondary cycle (AOR: .47; 95% CI: .27-.82), primipara (AOR: 0.53; 95% CI: .35-.83), and those who gave birth at home (AOR: .66; 95% CI: .51-.84). Mothers who had knowledge of pregnancy danger signs (AOR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.2-1.7) and exposure to mass media (AOR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.1-1.66) were more likely to utilize FANC. Conclusions: FANC utilization in this study was low compared to other studies. The HEWs had a major contribution to the services. However, it is low when compared to the plan set by the state ministry of health. The existing health extension program could be strengthened by increasing the number of HEWs. Empowering rural mothers through continuous education program to enhance the utilization of maternal health services.

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e036211
Author(s):  
Clara C Natai ◽  
Neema Gervas ◽  
Frybert M Sikira ◽  
Beatrice J Leyaro ◽  
Juma Mfanga ◽  
...  

BackgroundMale involvement in antenatal care (ANC) is among interventions to improve maternal health. Globally male involvement in ANC is low and varies in low-income and middle-income countries including Tanzania where most maternal deaths occur. In Sub-Sahara, men are chief decision makers and highly influence maternal health. In Tanzania information is limited regarding influence of male involvement during ANC on utilisation of maternal health services.ObjectivesTo determine the effect of male involvement during ANC on use of maternal health services in Mwanza, Tanzania.DesignA cross-sectional study conducted from June to July 2019.SettingThis study was conducted at seven randomly selected health facilities providing reproductive, maternal and child health (RCH) services in Mwanza City.ParticipantsIncluded 430 postpartum women who delivered 1 year prior to the study and attending for RCH services (growth monitoring, vaccination, postpartum care).Outcome measures4 or more ANC visits, skilled birth attendant (SBA) use during childbirth and postnatal care (PNC) utilisation 48 hours after delivery.MethodsInterviews and observation of the women’s ANC card were used to collect data. Data was entered, cleaned and analysed by SPSS.ResultsThe mean age of participants was 25.7 years. Of 430 women, 54.4% reported their partners attended ANC at least once, 69.7% reported they attended for four or more ANC visits during last pregnancy, 95% used SBAs during childbirth and 9.2% attended PNC within 48 hours after delivery. Male involvement during ANC was significantly associated with four or more ANC visits (Crude Odds Ratio (COR): 1.90; 95% CI: 1.08–3.35) but not with SBA use or PNC utilisation.ConclusionMale involvement in ANC is still low in Mwanza, as 46% of the partners had not attended with partners at ANC. Alternative strategies are needed to improve participation. Studies among men are required to explore the barriers of participation in overall RCH services.


Author(s):  
Abubakar Sadiq Umar ◽  
Chinaro Kennedy ◽  
Hebatullah Tawfik ◽  
Daniel M. N. Okenu

Although the use of antenatal and other skilled maternal health delivery services in Nigeria was reported to be on the increase, this research explored whether geopolitical zone of residence and place of domicile are associated with the number of antenatal visits and place of delivery. A quantitative cross-sectional study based on secondary data from the Demographic and Health Survey was used to examine the relationship between women’s geopolitical zone of residence, place of domicile (rural/urban), and the number of antenatal visits (categorized as fewer than four or four or more) and delivery (home or health facility). A total of 33,385 women aged 15–49 years were recruited from 888 clusters spread across all the 36 states and the federal capital territory of Nigeria using a stratified two stage proportionate to size cluster design. A higher proportion of women from the South West and North Central zones had made four or more antenatal care visits compared to the other geopolitical zones. The difference was statistically significant even after controlling for differences in education, income, ethnicity, religion, autonomy, and place of domicile (adjusted odd ratio = 2.062; 95% confidence interval [1.897, 2.241]; <em>p </em>< .05). Healthcare policy makers should consider the potential impact of geopolitical zones and place of domicile to enable the development of an all-inclusive strategy to robustly address maternal health services in Nigeria.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Atuhaire

Abstract Background Maternal health care and treatment services have a bearing on maternal mortality. Direct and Indirect factors affecting Maternal health outcomes therefore require understanding to enable well targeted interventions. This study, therefore, assessed the interrelationships between early antenatal care, health facility delivery and early postnatal care.Methods We investigated Maternal Health services using utilizing Antenatal care (ANC) within three months of pregnancy, Health facility delivery and utilizing postnatal care (PNC) within 48 hours after childbirth. The 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey data was used. During analysis, a Generalized Structural Equation Model using logistic link and binomial family option was used. The interrelated (Endogenous) outcomes were timely ANC, health facility delivery and timely PNC.Results Timely ANC (aOR=1.04; 95% CI=0.95-1.14) and(aOR=1.1; 95% CI=1.00-1.26) was directly related to increased odds of health facility delivery and timely PNC respectively. Factors that increased the odds of timely ANC as a mediating factor for health facility delivery and timely PNC were women age 35-39 (aOR=1.18; 95% CI=0.99-1.24) compared to women age 15-19, completing primary seven (aOR=1.68; 95% CI=1.58-1.81) compared to some primary, available health workers (aOR=1.06; 95% CI=0.97-1.18), complications (aOR=2.04; 95% CI=1.89-2.26) and desire for pregnancy(aOR=1.15; 95% CI=1.03-1.36). Factors that reduced the odds of timely ANC were being married (aOR=0.93; 95% CI=0.89-1.20), distance and cost of service being problematic (aOR=0.97; 95% CI=0.85-1.1) (aOR=0.5; 95% CI=0.37-0.82) respectively. Factors that significantly influenced health facility delivery through timely ANC were; unmarried (OR=1.03; (=1.04*0.99)), distance being problematic ((aOR=1.0; (=1.04*0.97)) and complications (aOR=2.02; (=1.04*1.94)). Factors that significantly influenced timely PNC through timely ANC were; women age 35-39 (aOR=1.3; (=1.18*1.1)) compared to 15-19, completing primary seven (aOR=1.68; (=1.68*1.1))compared to some primary and service cost being problematic (aOR=0.55; (=0.5*1.1)). Surprisingly, health facility delivery was not statistically significant as a mediator for timely PNC.Conclusion Attending antenatal care within first trimester was a mediating factor for health facility delivery and early postnatal care. Interventions in maternal health should focus on factors that increase antenatal care first trimester attendance in resource limited settings. Furthermore, Government should reduce on costs of attaining all maternal health services and emphasize girl education completion.


Author(s):  
Alem Desta Wuneh ◽  
Araya Abrha Medhanyie ◽  
Afework Mulugeta Bezabih ◽  
Lars Åke Persson ◽  
Joanna Schellenberg ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Despite the pro-poor health policies in Ethiopia, the utilization of maternal, neonatal, and child health services remains a challenge for the country. Health equity became central in the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals globally and is a priority for Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess equity in utilization of a range of maternal and child health services by applying absolute and relative equity indices. Methods Data on maternal and child health utilization emanated from a baseline survey conducted for a large project ‘Optimizing the Health Extension Program from December 2016 to February 2017 in four regions of Ethiopia. The utilization of four or more antenatal care visits; skilled birth attendance; postnatal care within 2 days after childbirth; immunization with BCG, polio 3, pentavalent 3, measles and full immunization of children aged 12–23 months; and vitamin A supplementation for 6–23 months old children were stratified by wealth quintiles. The socioeconomic status of the household was assessed by household assets and measured by constructing a wealth index using principal component analysis. Equity was assessed by applying two absolute inequity indices (Wealth index [quintile 5- quintile 1] and slope index of inequality) and two relative inequity indices (Wealth index [quintile5: quintile1] and concentration index). Results The maternal health services utilization was low and inequitably distributed favoring the better-off women. About 44, 71, and 18% of women from the better-off households had four or more antenatal visits, utilized skilled birth attendance and postnatal care within two days compared to 20, 29, and 8% of women from the poorest households, respectively. Skilled birth attendance was the most inequitably distributed maternal health service. All basic immunizations: BCG, polio 3, pentavalent 3, measles, and full immunization in children aged 12–23 months and vitamin A supplementation were equitably distributed. Conclusion Utilization of maternal health services was low, inequitable, and skewed against women from the poorest households. In contrast, preventive child health services were equitably distributed. Efforts to increase utilization and reinforcement of pro-poor and pro-rural strategies for maternal, newborn and immunization services in Ethiopia should be strengthened.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Coretta M.P. Jonah

The gap in maternal health outcomes, access and utilization between the haves and have-nots continues to be a challenge globally despite improvements over the past decade. Though Ghana has experienced steady gains in maternal health access and utilization over the years, maternal outcomes, on the other hand, remain poor. In this regard, it is essential to know how various groups in the population achieved improvements and whether some women continue to be disproportionately disadvantaged. The paper performs an analysis of cross-sectional data from the 2017 Ghana maternal health survey to examine the existence of the inverse care law in maternal health services in Ghana. Using descriptive techniques and multivariate logistic regression models the study reveals a pro-rich and pro-urban gradient in the use of hospital facilities for delivery and antenatal care attendance — also, regions known for their high levels of poverty feature significantly lower rates of hospital deliveries. The paper concludes by stressing that unless policies are changed to accommodate these groups, overall gains in maternal health will continue to be incremental.


F1000Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 1061
Author(s):  
Sathirakorn Pongpanich ◽  
Abdul Ghaffar ◽  
Najma Ghaffar ◽  
Hafiz Abdul Majid

Background: Information on determinants of postnatal care is essential for maternal health services, and this information is scarce in Pakistan. This study aimed to determine the factors of newborn postnatal care utilization from the Pakistan Demographic and Health Surveys (PDHS) conducted from 2006–2018. Methods: We analyzed data from three rounds of cross-sectional, nationally representative PDHS 2006–07, 2012–13, and 2017–18. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to explore factors associated with utilization of newborn postnatal care within two months. Results: This study included 5724 women from the 2006–07 PDHS, 7461 from the 2012–13 survey, and 8287 from the 2017–18 survey. The proportion of women receiving newborn postnatal care within the first two months of delivery increased from 13% in 2006–07 to 43% in 2012–13 but dropped to 27% in 2017–18. Respondent’s occupation and prenatal care utilization of maternal health services were common factors that significantly influenced newborn postnatal care utilization within two months. The utilization of postnatal care was greater among women having educated husbands and where the first child was a male in PDHS 2007 round. Higher wealth index and educated respondent had higher postnatal care utilization odds in DHS 2012 and DHS 2018. However, the odds of using postnatal care decreased with the number of household members and total number of children ever born in DHS 2012 and 2018 rounds. Conclusions: There was a general increase in the proportion of women who utilized postnatal care for their newborns during 2006–2013 but a decrease in 2018. The decreased utilization in 2018 warrants further investigation. Improving women’s economic status, education, employment, and antenatal care attendance and reducing parity may increase newborn postnatal care utilization.


Author(s):  
Nitin A. Lodha

Background: Antenatal care is the care of a woman during pregnancy. The primary aim of antenatal care is to achieve at the end of pregnancy a healthy mother and a healthy baby. To improve maternal health, barriers which limit access to quality maternal health services must be identified and addressed at all levels of health system. Objectives were to determine demographic and obstetric factors affecting utilization of ANC service and prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women.Methods: This is cross-sectional descriptive study carried out in tertiary care hospital, using structured questionnaire, interviews were conducted with married pregnant women age between 18-45 years, who visited ANC clinic. Total 170 pregnant women visited hospital during a period was included in study. Data was analysed using MS excel and Epi info. Chi –square test was applied.Results: Maximum number of study subjects (42.9%) from age 23-27 years. 66.5% were Hindu, 56.5% study subjects from joint family. 14.7% were illiterate. 45.3% were primigravida, 54.7% were multigravida. 71.1% study subjects were from third trimester of pregnancy. 94.7% were taken at least one dose of Tetanus Toxoids. Iron folic acid tablets were taken by 87.6%. Prevalence of anaemia was 55.8%.Conclusions: Majority of pregnant women came for antenatal check-up, but regularity was not seen in most of cases. The presence study has brought out no significant socio-cultural barrier like women’s literacy, socio economic class and parity of women affecting the utilization of services.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document